Most of the 5,000 folk who attended the funeral services were also intrigued after the late congressman’s son, Tarlac Vice Gov. Kit Cojuangco, sought forgiveness for his father during the necrological services.
“Sana mapatawad ninyo aking ama sa kanyang nagawa (at) huwag sana ninyo siyang husgahan. Ipagtanong muna sana ang katotohanan sa bagay na kanyang nagawa,” the vice governor said, without explaining.
A member of the Cojuangco clan who asked not to be named said the vice governor could have been referring to the late congressman’s “second family”, while another family member said the reference could have been to the deceased’s rift with his nephew Paniqui Mayor Miguel Cojuangco- Rivilla.
Cojuangco’s death also has apparently created political uncertainties, at least in Tarlac province where he was reported to be planning to run for governor in the 2016 elections.
Rivilla was also earlier reported to be eyeing the gubernatorial post. After seeking forgiveness for his father, the vice governor also said he was now uncertain about his political future. His father was reported to have initially planned for him to replace him as congressman for the first district of Tarlac.
“Hindi ko pa alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa akin pagkatapos ng aking termino,” he said.
The late congressman, popularly referred to by his constituents as Cong Hendry, succumbed to aneurysm Monday last week at the Medical City, Makati City. He is survived by his wife Violeta and four children.
He was the younger brother of former ambassador and business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. As chairman of the House’s powerful Economic Affairs Committee, Cong Henry was known to have authored the Philippine Fair Competition Act bill which sought “to curb monopoly and even the playing field of businesses”.
